Multiple Risks for Children Exposed to Parental Violence: Family Factors, Psychological Maltreatment, and Trauma (From Maltreatment in Early Childhood: Tools for Research-Based Intervention, P 207-237, 1999, Kathleen C. Faller, ed.)

• NCJ Number: 182584
• Author(s): B. B. Robbie Rossman
• Date Published: 1999
• Length: 31 pages
• Grant Number(s): R03 MH41051-01
• Sponsoring Agency: University of Denver; William T. Grant Foundation; National Institute of Mental Health
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines multiple risks for children exposed to parental violence.

Abstract

Children exposed to parental violence often experience multiple adversities that place them at risk for developmental problems. These include family factors of socioeconomic disadvantage, family stressors and psychological maltreatment as well as the potentially traumatic impact of exposure which may be realized indirectly through its effects on children’s emotion regulation and openness to new information. This study examined a path model integrating these factors and provided support for the role of multiple risk. In addition, trauma symptomatology served as a consistent link between family adversities and children’s ongoing functioning. While results of this study are preliminary and descriptive, the risk factors and mediating mechanisms identified could provide possible targets for intervention. For example, the model for behavior problems suggests it could be important to intervene to reduce family stressors as well as children’s traumatic distress. Figures, tables, note, references